CN106919027B

CN106919027B - Developing box

Info

Publication number: CN106919027B
Application number: CN201611180491.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 板桥奈绪; 横井淳一
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-25
Filing date: 2016-12-19
Publication date: 2021-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-19
Also published as: US10025225B2; JP2017116827A; JP6604197B2; US11221567B2; US20200264536A1; KR102467781B1; NZ743585A; US20220253000A1; US11988978B2; US20220128931A1; CA3008767C; US10649369B2; US20210041804A1; KR20180099755A; KR20200138437A; AU2016376402A1; US20190219946A1; US20200033754A1; US10444667B2; US11650518B2

Abstract

The present invention provides a developing cartridge comprising: a housing capable of accommodating a developer, extending in a first direction; a coupling located at one side of the housing in the first direction, the coupling being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; a detection gear located at the other side of the housing in the first direction and rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; and a storage medium having an electrical contact surface located at one side of the case in the first direction.

Description

Developing box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a developing cartridge.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer. A conventional developing cartridge is described in patent document 1, for example. The developing cartridge contains toner as a developer. Such a developing cartridge includes an electrode that receives power from the image forming apparatus. The electrode supplies power received from the image forming apparatus to the developing roller. Further, the developing cartridge includes a coupling. The coupling receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus. Further, the developing cartridge described in patent document 1 includes a detection gear. The detection gear is a gear for communicating whether or not the developing cartridge is a new product or a specification of the developing cartridge to the image forming apparatus. When the coupling receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus after the developing cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the detection gear rotates.

The developing cartridge described in patent document 2 includes a storage medium. The storage medium can store information such as the number of prints. A cartridge-side contact portion of an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip of the developing cartridge described in patent document 2 is provided in a contact portion of the detection gear.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-54056

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 2008-242085

Disclosure of Invention

The coupling, the detection gear, and the integrated circuit chip of the developing cartridge described in patent document 2 are located on a first side surface of one side of a casing of the developing cartridge. In this case, since the plurality of members are arranged on the first side surface, the first side surface is large. That is, the developing cartridge is large. On the other hand, on an inner surface of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the first side surface of the developing cartridge, a driving member for transmitting a driving force to the coupling, an actuator for detecting the detection gear, and a contact portion for reading information from the integrated circuit chip are provided. Therefore, the structure of the inner surface of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the first side surface is complicated, and the image forming apparatus may be upsized.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which electrical contact surfaces of a coupling, a detection gear, and a storage medium are appropriately arranged in a developing cartridge in order to miniaturize an image forming apparatus.

1. In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a developing cartridge comprising: a housing capable of accommodating a developer, extending in a first direction; a coupling located at one side of the housing in the first direction, the coupling being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; a detection gear located at the other side of the housing in the first direction and rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; and a storage medium having an electrical contact surface located at one side of the case in the first direction.

2. A developing cartridge according to above 1, wherein said storage medium is located at one side of said casing in said first direction.

3. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1 or 2, the detection gear is rotatable with rotation of the coupling.

4. A developing cartridge according to the above 3, further comprising a first shaft extending in the first direction and rotatable with rotation of the coupling, the detection gear being rotatable with rotation of the first shaft.

5. The developing cartridge according to the above 4, further comprising an agitator including the first shaft, rotatable together with the first shaft in accordance with rotation of the coupling, the detection gear being rotatable in accordance with rotation of the agitator.

6. According to the developing cartridge of the above 5, the detection gear is located on one side of the first shaft in a second direction perpendicularly intersecting the first direction, and the coupling is located on one side of the first shaft in the second direction.

7. A developing cartridge according to the above 5, wherein said coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with said coupling, said agitator further includes a first agitator gear mounted on said first shaft on one side of said casing in said first direction and rotatable together with said first shaft, said coupling gear being engaged with said first agitator gear.

8. A developing cartridge according to the above 5, further comprising a first idle gear located at one side of said casing in said first direction, said coupling including a coupling gear rotatable together with said coupling and engaged with said first idle gear, said agitator further including a first agitator gear mounted on said first shaft and located at one side of said casing in said first direction, rotatable together with said first shaft and engaged with said first idle gear.

9. The developing cartridge according to the above 5, wherein the agitator further includes a second agitator gear mounted on the first shaft, located on the other side of the casing in the first direction, rotatable together with the first shaft, the second agitator gear being engaged with the detection gear.

10. A developing cartridge according to the above 5, further comprising a second idle gear which is located on the other side of said casing in said first direction and meshes with said detection gear, said agitator further comprising a second agitator gear which is mounted on said first shaft, is located on the other side of said casing in said first direction, is rotatable together with said first shaft, and meshes with said second idle gear.

11. The developing cartridge according to the above 1, further comprising: a developing roller rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the first direction, including a roller shaft extending in the first direction; and an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft, the electrode being located at the other side of the housing in the first direction.

12. The developing cartridge according to the above 11, wherein said electrode includes a gear shaft extending in said first direction, said detection gear being rotatable with respect to said gear shaft, said detection gear covering a part of a peripheral surface of said gear shaft.

13. A developing cartridge according to above 1, further comprising a gear cover covering a part of said detection gear, on the other side of said casing in said first direction.

14. A developing cartridge according to the above 1, said casing comprising: a first outer surface located at one side of the housing in the first direction; and a second outer surface positioned at the other side of the housing in the first direction, the electrical contact surface being positioned at the first outer surface.

15. A developing cartridge according to the above 14, wherein said storage medium is located on said first outer surface.

16. The developing cartridge according to the above 14, wherein said detection gear is located on said second outer surface.

17. A developing cartridge according to 16 above, further comprising a second shaft located on said second outer surface and extending in said first direction along said second axis, said detection gear being rotatable about said second shaft.

18. A developing cartridge according to the above 17, wherein said second shaft extends from said second outer surface of said casing.

19. The developing cartridge according to the above 17, said casing further comprising: a through hole passing through the second outer surface; and a cap mounted in the through-hole, the second shaft extending from the cap.

20. The developing cartridge according to the above 17, further comprising: a developing roller rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the first direction, including a roller shaft extending in the first direction; and an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft, the electrode being located at the other side of the housing in the first direction.

21. The developing cartridge according to the above 20, wherein the electrode includes a gear shaft extending in the first direction, the gear shaft being the second shaft, the detection gear being rotatable about the gear shaft, the detection gear covering a part of a peripheral surface of the gear shaft.

22. A developing cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a gear cover covering a part of said detection gear and located on said second outer surface.

23. A developing cartridge according to the above 14, wherein said coupling is located at said first outer surface.

24. A developing cartridge according to the above 23, wherein said coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with said coupling, said agitator further includes a first agitator gear mounted on said first shaft at said first outer surface and rotatable together with said first shaft, said coupling gear being engaged with said first agitator gear.

25. A developing cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising a first idle gear provided on said first outer surface, said coupling including a coupling gear rotatable together with said coupling and meshing with said first idle gear, said agitator further including a first agitator gear mounted on said first shaft and provided on said first outer surface and rotatable together with said first shaft and meshing with said first idle gear.

26. According to the developing cartridge of the above 23, said agitator further comprises a second agitator gear mounted on said first shaft at said second outer surface to be rotatable together with said first shaft, said second agitator gear being engaged with said detection gear.

27. A developing cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising a second idle gear located on said second outer surface and engaged with said detection gear, said agitator further comprising a second agitator gear fixed to said first shaft and located on said second outer surface, rotatable together with said first shaft, and engaged with said second idle gear.

28. A developing cartridge according to the above 24, said first shaft includes a first end portion in said first direction and a second end portion spaced from said first end portion in said first direction, said first end portion penetrating said first outer surface, said first agitator gear being mounted at said first end portion.

29. A developing cartridge according to the above 26, said first shaft includes a first end portion in said first direction and a second end portion spaced apart from said first end portion in said first direction, said second end portion penetrating said second outer surface, said second agitator gear being mounted at said second end portion.

30. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the coupling has a concave portion or a convex portion for receiving the driving force.

31. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the detection gear has a shape indicating information on a specification of the developing cartridge.

32. According to the developing cartridge of the above 31, the specification is the number of pages printable using the developing cartridge.

33. According to the developing cartridge of the above 1, the detection gear is rotatable from a first position indicating that the developing cartridge is in an unused state to a second position indicating that the developing cartridge is in a used state.

34. A developing cartridge according to above 1, wherein said detection gear includes a plurality of teeth, and said plurality of teeth are arranged at a part of a periphery of said detection gear.

35. A developing cartridge according to above 1, wherein said detection gear includes a projection extending in said first direction.

36. A developing cartridge according to the above 35, wherein said detection gear includes a plurality of said projections.

37. The developing cartridge according to the above 1, wherein the storage medium is for storing information relating to the developing cartridge.

38. A developing cartridge according to above 1, said storage medium is located at one side of said casing in said first direction, said storage medium having said electrical contact surface.

According to the developing cartridges 1 to 38 described above, in the developing cartridge, the electrical contact surfaces of the coupling and the storage medium are located on one side of the casing in the first direction, and the detection gear is located on the other side of the casing in the first direction, and therefore, the electrical contact surfaces of the coupling, the detection gear, and the storage medium can be more efficiently arranged.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 2, the storage medium is located at one side of the casing in the first direction, and therefore, the coupling, the detection gear, the electric contact surface of the storage medium, and the storage medium can be more efficiently arranged.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 20, the electrode is located at the other side of the casing in the first direction, and therefore, the coupling, the detection gear, the electrical contact surface of the storage medium, and the electrode can be more efficiently arranged. Furthermore, the electrical contact surface is located on one side of the housing in the first direction, and the electrode is located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, so that electrical interference between the electrode and the electrical contact surface can be reduced.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 21, the detection gear can be rotated about the gear shaft included in the electrode. A part of the electrode can be used as a gear shaft that the detection gear can rotate, and therefore, the detection gear and the electrode can be efficiently arranged on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

According to the developing cartridge of the above 38, the storage medium has the electric contact surface, and therefore, the storage medium and the electric contact surface can be efficiently arranged on the one side of the casing in the first direction.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge of a modification.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating how a drum cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus in a state in which the developing cartridge of the modified example is mounted to the drum cartridge.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, a direction in which the rotation axis of the developing roller extends is referred to as a "first direction". A direction parallel to a straight line connecting the agitator shaft 21 of the agitator 20 and the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30, which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction, is referred to as a "second direction".

<1, overall Structure of developing Cartridge >

Fig. 1 to 5 are perspective views of a developing cartridge 1 as an example of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the developing cartridge 1 illustrating a positional relationship of the gears. This developing cartridge 1 is used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (e.g., a laser printer, an LED printer), and is a unit for supplying a developer (e.g., toner) to a photosensitive drum. As shown in fig. 1, the developing cartridge 1 of the present embodiment is mounted with respect to a drawer unit 90 provided in the image forming apparatus.

In the present embodiment, four developing cartridges 1 are mounted in one drawer unit 90. The four developing cartridges 1 can contain developers of different colors (for example, various colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc.). The developer is, for example, toner. The drawer unit 90 includes four cartridge holding portions 91. The cartridge holding portions 91 are provided with photosensitive drums, respectively.

By pulling out the drawer unit 90 from the image forming apparatus, each developing cartridge 1 can be mounted to the cartridge holding portion 91 of the drawer unit 90. Further, by pulling out the drawer unit 90 from the image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge 1 can be taken out from the drawer unit 90.

As shown in fig. 2 to 5, the developing cartridge 1 of the present embodiment includes: a housing 10; a stirrer 20; a developing roller 30; a first gear portion 40; a second gear portion 50; and an integrated circuit chip assembly 60.

The casing 10 is a housing capable of accommodating a developer (e.g., toner) for electrophotographic printing. The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12. The first outer surface 11 is an outer surface of one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. The second outer surface 12 is an outer surface of the other side of the housing 10 in the first direction. The first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 diverge in a first direction. The first gear portion 40 and the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 are located at the first outer surface 11. The second gear portion 50 is located on the second outer surface 12. The housing 10 extends in a first direction between a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12. A toner chamber 13 for accommodating toner is provided inside the housing 10. The first direction is an extending direction of the casing 10 and the developing roller 30.

The agitator 20 is an agitating device extending in a first direction. The agitator 20 includes an agitator shaft 21 and an agitator blade 22. The agitator shaft 21 extends along a rotation shaft 81 extending in the first direction. The agitator shaft 21 has a columnar shape extending in the first direction. The agitator shaft 21 constitutes a "first shaft". The stirring blades 22 are spread radially outward from the stirrer shaft 21. The stirring blade 22 is disposed in the toner chamber 13 of the housing 10.

As shown in fig. 4, the agitator shaft 21 includes a first end portion 211 and a second end portion (illustration is omitted). The first end 211 is an end on one side of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. The first end 211 extends through the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. A first agitator gear 44 described later is attached to the first end 211. Specifically, first agitator gear 44 is fixed relative to first end 211 so as to be immovable. A first agitator gear 44 is located on the first outer surface 11.

The second end portion is an end portion of the other side of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. The second end extends through the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10. As shown in fig. 5, a second agitator gear 51, which will be described later, is attached to the second end portion. Specifically, the second agitator gear 51 is fixed to the second end portion so as not to be movable relative thereto. A second agitator gear 51 is located on the second outer surface 12.

With the above structure, the agitator shaft 21 and the agitating blade 22 rotate together with the first agitator gear 44 and the second agitator gear 51. When the agitator 20 rotates, the agitating blade 22 rotates to agitate the toner in the toner chamber 13.

The developing roller 30 is a roller rotatable about a rotation shaft 82 extending in the first direction. The developing roller 30 of the present embodiment includes a roller body 31 and a roller shaft 42. The roller body 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction. The material of the roller body 31 is, for example, rubber having elasticity. The roller shaft 32 is a substantially cylindrical member that penetrates the roller body 31 in the first direction. The material of the roller shaft 32 is metal or conductive resin. The roller body 31 is fixed to the roller shaft 32 so as not to rotate relative thereto. Therefore, when the roller shaft 32 rotates, the roller body 31 also rotates together with the roller shaft 32.

The roller shaft 32 may not penetrate the roller body 31 in the axial direction. For example, the pair of roller shafts 32 may extend in the axial direction from both ends of the roller body 31 in the axial direction.

One end of the roller shaft 32 in the first direction is fixed to a developing gear 42 described later so as not to rotate relative thereto. Therefore, when the developing gear 42 rotates, the roller shaft 32 also rotates, and the roller body 31 also rotates together with the roller shaft 32.

Here, a direction parallel to a straight line connecting the agitator shaft 21 and the roller shaft 32 at the same position in the first direction is referred to as a second direction. The roller shaft 32 is located on one side of the agitator shaft 21 in the second direction. The agitator shaft 21 is located on the other side of the roller shaft 32 in the second direction. The second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The housing 10 includes an opening 14. The opening 14 communicates the toner chamber 13 with the outside. The opening 14 is located at an end portion of one side of the housing 10 in the second direction. The developing roller 30 is located at the opening 14. That is, the developing roller 30 is located near an end portion of one side of the casing 10 in the second direction.

When the image forming apparatus is operated, in the developing cartridge 1, toner is supplied from the toner chamber 13 in the casing 10 to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 3O by a supply roller, not shown. At this time, the toner is triboelectrically charged between the supply roller and the developing roller 30. On the other hand, the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30 is biased by power supplied from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the toner is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31 by the electrostatic force between the roller shaft 32 and the toner.

The developing cartridge 1 includes a layer thickness regulating blade, not shown. The layer thickness regulating sheet makes the toner on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 31 have a constant thickness. Thereafter, the toner on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31 is supplied toward the photosensitive drum provided in the drawer unit 90. At this time, the toner moves from the roller body 31 toward the photosensitive drum in correspondence with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. This visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.

The first gear part 40 is located at one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. That is, the first gear portion 40 is located at the first outer surface 11. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 in which the first gear portion 40 is in an exploded state. As shown in fig. 4, the first gear portion 40 includes a coupling 41, a developing gear 42, an idle gear 43, a first agitator gear 44, and a first gear cover 45. Thus, the coupling 41, the developing gear 42, the idle gear 43, and the first agitator gear 44 are located on the first outer surface 11. In fig. 4, a plurality of gear teeth of each gear are not illustrated.

The coupling 41 is a portion that receives the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus first. The coupling 41 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 83 extending in the first direction. The rotation shaft 83 which is the rotation center of the coupling 41 constitutes a "first axis". The coupling 41 includes a coupling portion 411 and a coupling gear 412. The coupling portion 411 and the coupling gear 412 are integrally formed of resin, for example.

The coupling portion 411 is provided with a coupling hole 413 recessed in the first direction. The coupling hole 413 is a concave portion for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus. The coupling portion 411 may also include a convex portion for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus instead of the coupling hole 413. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the coupling gear 412.

When the drawer unit 90 mounted with the developing cartridge 1 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the driving shaft of the image forming apparatus is inserted into the coupling hole 413 of the coupling portion 411. Thereby, the drive shaft and the coupling portion 411 are coupled together so as not to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, when the drive shaft rotates, the coupling portion 411 rotates, and the coupling gear 412 also rotates together with the coupling portion 411.

The developing gear 42 is a gear for rotating the developing roller 30. The developing gear 42 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 82 extending in the first direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the developing gear 42. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the coupling gear 412 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the development gear 42. The developing gear 42 is fixed in a relatively non-rotatable manner at an end portion of the developing roller 30 on one side in the first direction of the roller shaft 32. Therefore, when the coupling gear 412 rotates, the developing gear 42 rotates, and the developing roller 30 also rotates together with the developing gear 42.

The idle gear 43 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the coupling gear 412 to the first agitator gear 44. The idle gear 43 constitutes a "first idle gear". The idler pulley 43 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 84 extending in the first direction. The idler gear 43 includes a large diameter gear portion 431 and a small diameter gear portion 432 (see fig. 6) arranged in a row in the first direction. The small diameter gear portion 432 is located on the other side of the large diameter gear portion 431 in the first direction. That is, the small diameter gear portion 432 is located between the large diameter gear portion 431 and the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. Therefore, the large diameter gear portion 431 is farther from the first outer surface 11 than the small diameter gear portion 432. The small diameter gear portion 432 has a smaller diameter than the large diameter gear portion 431. In other words, the diameter of the addendum circle of the small-diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the diameter of the addendum circle of the large-diameter gear portion 431. The large diameter gear portion 431 and the small diameter gear portion 432 are integrally formed of, for example, resin.

A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals on the entire outer peripheral portions of the large diameter gear portion 431 and the small diameter gear portion 432, respectively. The number of gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the number of gear teeth of the large diameter gear portion 431. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the coupling gear 412 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the large diameter gear portion 431. At least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 intermesh with at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the first agitator gear 44. When the coupling gear 412 rotates, the large diameter gear portion 431 rotates, and the small diameter gear portion 432 also rotates together with the large diameter gear portion 431. As the small-diameter gear portion 432 rotates, the first agitator gear 44 also rotates.

The first agitator gear 44 is a gear for rotating the agitator 20 in the toner chamber 13. The first agitator gear 44 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 81 extending in the first direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the first agitator gear 44. As described above, at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the small-diameter gear portion 432 and at least a portion of the plurality of gear teeth of the first agitator gear 44 are intermeshed. The first agitator gear 44 is fixed to the second end of the agitator shaft 21 so as not to rotate relatively. Thus, when power is transmitted from the coupling 41 to the first agitator gear 44 through the idle gear 43, the first agitator gear 44 rotates, and the agitator shaft 20 also rotates together with the first agitator gear 44. That is, the agitator 20 including the agitator shaft 21 rotates in conjunction with the coupling 41.

In the above-described developing cartridge 1, the idle gear 43 is disposed between the coupling gear 412 and the first agitator gear 44, but the idle gear 43 may be omitted and the coupling gear 412 and the first agitator gear 44 may be directly meshed with each other.

The first gear cover 45 is located at one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. Specifically, the first gear cover 45 is located on the first outer surface 11. The first gear cover 45 is fixed to the first outer surface 11 by, for example, a screw clamp. The coupling gear 412, the developing gear 42, the idle gear 43, and the first agitator gear 44 are accommodated between the first outer surface 11 and the first gear cover 45. The coupling hole 413 of the coupling portion 411 is exposed to the outside of the first gear cover 45 as shown in fig. 2. The first gear cover 45 of the present embodiment also serves as a holding portion cover for holding a holding portion 62 of an integrated circuit chip assembly 60 described later. The structure of the first gear cover 45 as a holding portion cover will be described later.

The second gear part 50 is located at the other side of the housing 10 in the first direction. That is, the second gear portion 50 is located on the second outer surface 12. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 in a state where the second gear portion 50 is disassembled. As shown in fig. 5, the second gear part 50 includes a second agitator gear 51, a detection gear 52, a conductive member 53, and a second gear cover 54. Thus, the second agitator gear 51, the detection gear 52, and the conductive member 53 are located on the second outer surface 12. In fig. 5, the gear teeth of the second agitator gear 51 are not illustrated.

The second agitator gear 51 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the agitator shaft 21 to the detection gear 52. The second agitator gear 51 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 81 extending in the first direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals throughout the outer circumferential portion of the second agitator gear 51. The gear teeth of the second agitator gear 51 are meshed with the gear teeth of the detection gear 52. The second agitator gear 51 is fixed to the first end of the agitator shaft 21 so as not to be relatively rotatable. Thus, when the agitator shaft 21 rotates, the second agitator gear 51 also rotates.

The detection gear 52 is a gear for transmitting information of the developing cartridge 1 to the image forming apparatus. The information of the developing cartridge 1 includes, for example, information of whether the developing cartridge 1 is a new (unused) developing cartridge or a used developing cartridge. The information of the developing cartridge 1 includes, for example, the specification of the developing cartridge 1. The specification of the developing cartridge 1 includes, for example, the number of sheets (output sheets) that can be printed by the developer contained in the developing cartridge 1.

The detection gear 52 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 85 extending in the first direction. The rotation shaft 85 that becomes the rotation center of the detection gear 52 constitutes a "second axis". The detection gear 52 has a plurality of gear teeth 521. The plurality of gear teeth 521 are disposed at a part of the periphery of the detection gear 52. That is, the detection gear is a missing-tooth gear in which a plurality of gear teeth 521 are arranged in a part of the outer peripheral portion thereof, and the other part does not have the gear teeth 521.

In the case where the developing cartridge 1 is not used, the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 are meshed with the second agitator gear 51. In this case, the detection gear 52 rotates in conjunction with the agitator 20 including the agitator shaft 21. Therefore, when the driving force is inputted to the coupling 41, the driving force is transmitted through the coupling 41, the idle gear 43, the first agitator gear 44, the agitator 20, and the second agitator gear 51, and the detection gear 52 rotates. That is, the detection gear 52 can rotate in conjunction with the coupling 41.

At the time of use of the image forming apparatus, the use is started by mounting the developing cartridge 1 on the drawer unit 90, and accommodating the drawer unit 90 in the image forming apparatus. When the driving force is input to the coupling 41 after the unused developing cartridge 1 is mounted in the drawer unit 90 and the drawer unit 90 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the detection gear 52 rotates. When the detection gear 52 rotates by a predetermined angle or more, the engagement between the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52 is released, and the rotation of the detection gear 52 is stopped.

In the case where the developing cartridge 1 is not used, the detection gear 52 is located at the first position indicating that the developing cartridge 1 is in an unused state. With the detection gear 52 in the first position, the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 mesh with the second agitator gear 51. When the use of the developing cartridge 1 is started, the detection gear 52 rotates from the first position to the second position. Thus, after the use of the developing cartridge 1 is started, the detection gear 52 is located at the second position indicating that the developing cartridge 1 is in the used state. With the detection gear 52 in the second position, the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 are not meshed with the second agitator gear 51. Thus, the state of the detection gear 52 changes when it is not in use and after it is started to be used.

The detection gear 52 may be a movable gear that can move in the first direction. The movable gear may not be a missing-tooth gear. That is, the movable gear may have a plurality of gear teeth on its outer circumferential surface in a circumferential shape. In this case, when the movable gear rotates, the movable gear moves in the first direction, and the engagement of the movable gear with the second agitator gear 51 is released. The movable gear may also be moved in a direction away from the second outer surface 12 in the first direction. The movable gear may also be moved in a direction approaching the second outer surface 12 in the first direction.

Therefore, in the case where the used developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drawer unit 90 and the drawer unit 90 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus, the detection gear 52 does not rotate because the engagement of the detection gear 52 with the second agitator gear 51 is released.

Another gear may be disposed between the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52. For example, the second gear unit 50 may include a second idle gear that meshes with both the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52. The second idler pulley is located on the second outer surface 12. The rotation of the second agitator gear 51 may also be transmitted to the detection gear 52 through a second idle gear.

The conductive member 53 is a conductive member. As the material of the conductive member 53, a metal or a conductive resin is used as a conductor. The conductive member 53 is located on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10. The conductive member 53 includes a gear shaft 531 protruding in the first direction. Gear shaft 531 is located on second outer surface 12. The gear shaft 531 extends from the second outer surface 12 in the first direction along the rotation axis 85. The rotation shaft 85 constitutes a "second axis". The gear shaft 531 constitutes a "second shaft". The detection gear 52 is supported on a gear shaft 531, and rotates centering on the gear shaft 531. Conductive member 53 includes a bearing portion 532. The bearing portion 532 contacts the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30. A portion of the conductive member 53 may also contact the roller shaft 32. The roller shaft 32 may also be brought into contact with the conductive member 53 by inserting the roller shaft 32 into the conductive member 53.

The drawer unit 90 includes a conductive rod (not shown) in contact with the gear shaft 531. When the rod is in contact with the gear shaft 531, the conductive member 53 and the roller shaft 32 are electrically conducted with the rod. When the image forming apparatus is driven, the roller shaft 32 is maintained at a predetermined bias voltage by the power supplied from the lever to the gear shaft 531. That is, the conductive member 53 including the gear shaft 531 functions as an electrode for supplying a bias voltage to the roller shaft 32.

The second gear cover 54 is located at the other side of the housing 10 in the first direction. Specifically, the second gear cover 54 is located on the second outer surface 12. The second gear cover 54 is secured to the second outer surface 12 by, for example, a screw clamp. The second agitator gear 51, at least a portion of the detection gear 52, and the conductive member 53 are accommodated between the second outer surface 12 and the second gear cover 54. Therefore, the second gear cover 54 covers at least a part of the detection gear 52. The second gear cover 54 includes an opening 541. A portion of the detection gear 52 and a portion of the gear shaft 531 are exposed through the opening 541. The lever contacts the detection gear 52 or the gear shaft 531 through the opening 541.

The detection gear 52 includes a protrusion 522. The detection gear 52 partially covers the outer circumferential surface of the gear shaft 531. The protrusion 522 is located at the other side of the plurality of gear teeth 521 in the first direction. The protrusion 522 extends in a first direction. The projection 522 includes an arc-shaped portion centered on the rotation shaft 85 when viewed in the first direction. The protrusion 522 covers a portion of the circumferential surface of the gear shaft 531. The protrusion 522 is rotatable together with the detection gear 52.

In the unused developing cartridge 1, a part of the gear shaft 531 is exposed through the opening 541. That is, the lever of the drawer unit 90 is in contact with the gear shaft 531. When the driving force is input to the coupling 41 when the use of the image forming apparatus is started, the detection gear 52 rotates. At this time, the protrusion 522 is inserted between the lever and the gear shaft 531 in accordance with the rotation of the detection gear 52. Thereby, the lever is in a non-contact state with the gear shaft 531. Thereafter, when the detection gear 52 further rotates, the lever comes into contact with the gear shaft 531 again. When the detection gear 52 rotates by a predetermined angle or more, the detection gear 52 stops rotating. Thus, the contact of the lever with the gear shaft 531 is maintained.

Thereby, as the detection gear 52 rotates, the contact state of the lever with the gear shaft 531 changes in accordance with the shape of the detection gear 52. The image forming apparatus recognizes whether the mounted developing cartridge 1 is a new product, and the specification of the developing cartridge 1 by recognizing the change of the contact state. That is, the detection gear 52 has a shape indicating information about the developer of the developing cartridge 1.

In the above-described developing cartridge 1, although the detection gear 52 includes one projection 522, the present invention is not limited thereto. The detection gear 52 may also include a plurality of protrusions extending in the first direction instead of the protrusions 522. Further, the position and length of the protrusion 522 in the circumferential direction may also be different from the present embodiment. The shape of the detection gear 52 may be different according to specifications such as the number of printable sheets of the developing cartridge 1. Specifically, the number of the projections 522, the intervals of the plurality of projections 522 in the circumferential direction, the length of each projection 522 in the radial direction, and the like can be varied according to specifications. Thereby, by making the number of the protrusions 522 different, the positions in the circumferential direction, various specifications of the developing cartridge 1 can be notified to the image forming apparatus.

In the above-described developing cartridge 1, the projection 522 is used to change the contact state of the lever with the gear shaft 531, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the contact state of the lever with the gear shaft 531 may also be changed by another member that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the detection gear 52. Specifically, the detection gear 52 and the protrusion 522 may be separate members. In this case, the protrusion 522 rotates together with the rotation of the detection gear 52.

For example, it is also possible that the detection gear 52 includes a cam that contacts the protrusion 522. In this case, the cam rotates together with the rotation of the detection gear 52, the cam contacts the protrusion 522 by the rotation, and the protrusion 522 moves. The projection 522 may be rotatably attached to a shaft provided on the second outer surface 12 or the second gear cover 54. The shaft of the protrusion 522 may be inserted into a hole of the second outer surface 12 or the second gear cover 54, and the protrusion 522 may be rotatably held.

The detection gear 52 may also have a shape that also represents other information. For example, the detection gear 52 may also have a shape indicating the color of the developer accommodated by the developing cartridge 1.

The integrated circuit chip assembly 60 is located at one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. That is, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 is disposed outside the first outer surface 11 of the casing 10. As shown in fig. 2 to 5, the integrated circuit chip assembly 60 includes an integrated circuit chip 61 and a holding portion 62. The integrated circuit chip 61 is a storage medium. The integrated circuit chip 61 stores various information about the developing cartridge 1. The holding portion 62 is a member for holding the integrated circuit chip 61. The holding portion 62 is held by the first gear cover 45.

As shown in fig. 5, the integrated circuit chip 61 includes electrical contact surfaces 611. The electrical contact surface 611 is made of metal as a conductor. The electrical contact surface 611 is located at one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. The electrical contact surface 611 is located at the first outer surface 11.

The drawer unit 90 includes electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are made of, for example, metal. When the developing cartridge 1 is mounted to the drawer unit 90, the electrical contact of the drawer unit 90 is in contact with the electrical contact surface 611. Thereby, the image forming apparatus can perform at least one of reading out information from the integrated circuit chip 61 and writing information to the integrated circuit chip 61. The electrical contacts included in the drawer unit 90 are made of, for example, metal. In the above-described developing cartridge 1, both the body of the integrated circuit chip 61 and the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61 are located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction.

At least a part of the holding portion 62 is covered with the first gear cover 45. The holding portion 62 includes three

bosses

621a, 621b, 621 c. The two

bosses

621a, 621b extend in the first direction from the surface of the holding portion 62 opposite to the surface facing the housing 10 toward the first gear cover 45. The two

bosses

621a, 621b are aligned in the second direction. The boss 621c extends in the first direction from the surface of the holding portion 62 facing the housing 10 toward the housing 10. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 2, the first gear cover 45 includes two through

holes

451a, 451 b. The two through

holes

451a, 451b are aligned in the second direction. The through

holes

451a and 451b penetrate the first gear cover 45 in the first direction. The housing 10 comprises a recess 15. The recess 15 is concave in a first direction at the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10.

The boss 621a is inserted into the through hole 451 a. The boss 621b is inserted into the through hole 451 b. The boss 621c is inserted into the recess 15. The size (inner size) of the through-hole 451a is larger than the size (outer size) of the boss 621 a. The size (inner size) of the through-hole 451b is larger than the size (outer size) of the boss 621 b. The size (inner size) of the recess 15 is larger than the size (outer size) of the boss 621 c. Therefore, the holding portion 62 can be relatively moved to some extent in the direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the housing 10 and the first gear cover 45. The holding portion 62 may be movable in the first direction between the first gear cover 45 and the first outer surface 11.

The number of bosses provided in the holding portion 62 may be one, or three or more. The number of through holes provided in the first gear cover 45 may be one, or three or more. Each of the

bosses

621a, 621b, 621c may have a cylindrical shape or a prismatic shape.

In the above-described developing cartridge 1, the

bosses

621a, 621b are inserted into the through

holes

451a, 451b, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of the through

holes

451a, 451b, the first gear cover 45 may include two concave portions. These two recesses can be inserted by the

bosses

621a, 621b, respectively.

In order to miniaturize the image forming apparatus, it is sometimes necessary to make the projection area of the developing cartridge 1 to the first direction small. That is, in order to miniaturize the image forming apparatus, it is sometimes necessary to make the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 small. On the other hand, the coupling 41, the electric contact surface 611, and the detection gear 52 are portions that are respectively connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the coupling 41, the electric contact surface 611, and the detection gear 52 cannot coincide in the first direction.

As shown in fig. 6, in the above-described developing cartridge 1, the detection gear 52 is located on the other side of the casing 10 in the first direction. The electrical contact surfaces 611 of the couplings 41 and the integrated circuit chip 61 are located on one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. Thereby, the coupling 41, the electric contact surface 611, and the detection gear 52 are separately arranged on the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12, whereby the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 can be made small. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1 and the image forming apparatus can be miniaturized.

In the present embodiment, the end of the coupling 41 on the first direction side in the second direction is located on the one side thereof with respect to the agitator shaft 21. The end of the detection gear 52 on the other side in the second direction from the first direction of the agitator shaft 21 is located on one side thereof. Thereby, the coupler 41 and the detection gear 52 are disposed on the same side in the second direction with respect to the agitator shaft 21. Thereby, the length of the developing cartridge 1 in the second direction can be made short. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1 and the image forming apparatus can be miniaturized in the second direction.

In particular, in the present embodiment, since the detection gear 52 is supported by the conductive member 53, the detection gear 52 and the conductive member 53 may need to be disposed on the same outer surface of the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12. On the other hand, a high voltage bias is applied to the conductive member 53 as an electrode. Therefore, if the distance between the conductive member 53 and the electrical contact surface 611 of the integrated circuit chip 61 is short, there is a fear that the integrated circuit chip 61 is affected by high-frequency noise.

However, in the above-described developing cartridge, the detection gear 52 and the conductive member 53 are located on the second outer surface 12 on the opposite side in the first direction from the first outer surface 11 on which the electrical contact surface 611 is arranged. Therefore, the electrical interference of the conductive member 53 with the electrical contact surface 611 can be reduced. Further, the electrical interference of the conductive member 53 with the integrated circuit chip 61 can be reduced. For example, it is possible to suppress generation of high-frequency noise in the integrated circuit chip 61 due to application of a high voltage to the conductive member 53.

In the present embodiment, the integrated circuit chip 61 including the electrical contact surface 611 is entirely located on the first outer surface 11 on the opposite side in the first direction from the detection gear 52 and the conductive member 53. However, it is also possible that only at least the electrical contact surface 611 in the integrated circuit chip 61 is located at the first outer surface 11, and the body of the integrated circuit chip 61 is located at another surface of the housing 10. In this case, the electrical interference of the conductive member 53 with the electrical contact surface 611 can also be reduced. Further, the electrical interference of the conductive member 53 with the integrated circuit chip 61 can be reduced. For example, it is possible to suppress generation of high-frequency noise in the integrated circuit chip 61 due to application of a high voltage to the conductive member 53.

<2, modification example >

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge 1A and a drum cartridge 70A according to a modification. The developing cartridge 1A includes a developing roller 30A, a coupling 41A, a detection gear 52A, and an integrated circuit chip 61A. In the example of fig. 7, the developing cartridge 1A is not mounted to the drawer unit, but is mounted to the drum cartridge 70A. The drum cartridge 70A includes one developing cartridge holding portion 71A for holding one developing cartridge 1A. The developing cartridge holding portion 71A is provided with a photosensitive drum 72A. When the developing cartridge 1A is mounted to the drum cartridge 70A, the developing roller 30A of the developing cartridge 1A contacts the photosensitive drum 72A.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating how the drum cartridge 70A holding the developing cartridge 1A is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100A. As shown in fig. 8, the drum cartridge 70A holding the developing cartridge 1A is mounted with respect to a drum cartridge holding portion 101A provided in the image forming apparatus 100A.

Thereby, even for the developing cartridge 1A of the type mounted to the drum cartridge 70A, the same structure as that of the developing cartridge of the above-described embodiment can be used. Specifically, as shown in fig. 7, in this developing cartridge 1A, also the electrical contact surfaces 611A of the couplings 41A and the integrated circuit chips 61A are located on one side of the casing 10A in the first direction. The detection gear 52 is located on the other side of the housing 10A in the first direction. Thereby, the coupling 41A, the electric contact surface 611A, and the detection gear 52A are separately arranged on one side and the other side in the first direction, whereby the end surface of the developing cartridge 1A in the first direction can be made small. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1A and the image forming apparatus 100A can be miniaturized.

In the above embodiment, the gear shaft 531 as the first shaft extends from the second outer surface 12 to the other side of the first direction. However, the gear shaft 531 may not be in direct contact with the second outer surface 12. For example, the housing 10 may further include a through hole penetrating the second outer surface 12 and a cap mounted on the through hole, and the gear shaft may extend from the cap to the other side of the first direction. In this case, for example, the cap includes a gear shaft protruding in the first direction toward the detection gear 52. The detection gear 52 is supported by the gear shaft and rotates about the gear shaft 531.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of gears in the first gear part 40 and the second gear part 50 are engaged with each other by meshing of gear teeth. However, a plurality of gears of the first gear part 40 and the second gear part 50 may be engaged with each other by friction force. For example, instead of a plurality of gear teeth, a friction member (e.g., rubber) may be provided at outer peripheral portions of two gears that are fitted to each other.

The developing cartridge 1 of the above-described embodiment is mounted with respect to a drawer unit included in the image forming apparatus. However, the developing cartridge of the present invention may be mounted with respect to a main body of an image forming apparatus that does not include a drawer unit.

The detailed shape of the developing cartridge may be different from the shape shown in the drawings of the present application. The respective members appearing in the above-described embodiment and modification examples may be appropriately combined within a range in which no contradiction occurs.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 1A developing box

10 outer casing

11 first outer surface

12 second outer surface

20 stirrer

21 stirrer shaft

22 stirring blade

30 developing roller

32 roll shaft

41. 41A coupling

42 developing gear

43 idler pulley

44 first beater gear

51 second beater gear

52. 52A detection gear

53 conductive member

61. 61A integrated circuit chip

211 first end portion

412 connecting gear

413 coupling hole

451 through hole

521 gear tooth

522 protrusion

531 Gear shaft

611. 611A electric contact surface

Claims

1. A developing cartridge comprising:

a housing capable of accommodating a developer, extending in a first direction;

a coupling located at one side of the housing in the first direction, the coupling being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction;

a detection gear located at the other side of the housing in the first direction and rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; and

a storage medium having an electrical contact surface located at one side of the case in the first direction.

2. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium is located at one side of said casing in said first direction.

3. A developing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said detection gear is rotatable with rotation of said coupling.

4. A developing cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising a first shaft extending in the first direction, rotatable with rotation of the coupling,

the detection gear is rotatable with rotation of the first shaft.

5. A developing cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising an agitator including said first shaft rotatable together with said first shaft in accordance with rotation of said coupling,

the detection gear is rotatable with rotation of the agitator.

6. A developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said detection gear is located on one side of said first shaft in a second direction perpendicularly intersecting with said first direction,

the coupling is located on one side of the first shaft in the second direction.

7. A developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with said coupling,

the agitator further includes a first agitator gear mounted on the first shaft on one side of the housing in the first direction to be rotatable together with the first shaft,

the coupling gear is engaged with the first agitator gear.

8. A developing cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising a first idle gear located at one side of said casing in said first direction,

the coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable with the coupling, meshed with the first idle gear,

the agitator further includes a first agitator gear mounted on the first shaft on one side of the housing in the first direction, rotatable together with the first shaft, and meshed with the first idle gear.

9. A developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said agitator further includes a second agitator gear mounted on said first shaft on the other side of said casing in said first direction to be rotatable together with said first shaft,

the second agitator gear is engaged with the detection gear.

10. A developing cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising a second idle gear located on the other side of said casing in said first direction, meshed with said detection gear,

the agitator further includes a second agitator gear mounted on the first shaft on the other side of the housing in the first direction, rotatable together with the first shaft, and meshed with the second idle gear.

11. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

a developing roller rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the first direction, including a roller shaft extending in the first direction; and

an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft,

the electrode is located on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

12. A developing cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the electrode includes a gear shaft extending in the first direction,

the detection gear is rotatable with respect to the gear shaft,

the detection gear covers a part of a circumferential surface of the gear shaft.

13. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a gear cover covering a part of said detection gear on the other side of said casing in said first direction.

14. A developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said casing includes:

a first outer surface located at one side of the housing in the first direction; and

a second outer surface located at the other side of the housing in the first direction,

the electrical contact surface is located on the first outer surface.

15. A cartridge according to claim 14, wherein said storage medium is located at said first outer surface.

16. A developing cartridge according to claim 14, wherein said detection gear is located on said second outer surface.

17. A developing cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a second shaft located at said second outer surface, extending in said first direction along said second axis,

the detection gear is rotatable about the second shaft.

18. A cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the second shaft extends from the second outer surface of the housing.

19. A developing cartridge according to claim 17, wherein said casing further comprises:

a through hole passing through the second outer surface; and

a cap installed at the through-hole,

the second shaft extends from the cap.

20. A developing cartridge according to claim 17, further comprising:

an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft,

21. A developing cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the electrode includes a gear shaft extending in the first direction,

the gear shaft is the second shaft and,

the detection gear is rotatable with respect to the gear shaft,

22. A developing cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a gear cover covering a part of said detection gear at said second outer surface.

23. A developing cartridge according to claim 14, wherein said coupling is located at said first outer surface.

24. A developing cartridge according to claim 23, wherein said coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with said coupling,

the agitator further comprising a first agitator gear mounted on the first shaft at the first outer surface and rotatable with the first shaft,

the coupling gear is engaged with the first agitator gear.

25. A developing cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising a first idle gear at said first outer surface,

the agitator also includes a first agitator gear mounted on the first shaft at the first outer surface, rotatable with the first shaft, and meshed with the first idler gear.

26. A developing cartridge according to claim 23, wherein said agitator further includes a second agitator gear mounted to said first shaft at said second outer surface and rotatable together with said first shaft,

the second agitator gear is engaged with the detection gear.

27. A developing cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising a second idle gear on the second outer surface, meshed with the detection gear,

the agitator also includes a second agitator gear fixed to the first shaft on the second outer surface, rotatable with the first shaft, and meshed with the second idler gear.

28. A developing cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the first shaft includes a first end portion in the first direction and a second end portion departing from the first end portion in the first direction,

the first end portion extends through the first outer surface,

the first agitator gear is mounted at the first end.

29. A developing cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the first shaft includes a first end portion in the first direction and a second end portion departing from the first end portion in the first direction,

the second end portion extends through the second outer surface,

the second agitator gear is mounted at the second end.

30. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said coupling has a concave portion or a convex portion for receiving a driving force.

31. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said detection gear has a shape representing information relating to a specification of said developing cartridge.

32. A cartridge according to claim 31, wherein said specification is a number of pages printable using said cartridge.

33. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said detection gear is rotatable from a first position to a second position, said first position indicating that said developing cartridge is in an unused state, said second position indicating that said developing cartridge is in a used state.

34. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said detection gear includes a plurality of teeth,

the plurality of teeth are disposed at a part of the periphery of the detection gear.

35. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said detection gear includes a projection extending in said first direction.

36. A developing cartridge according to claim 35, wherein said detection gear includes a plurality of said projections.

37. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium is for storing information relating to said developing cartridge.

38. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium is located at one side of said casing in said first direction,

the storage medium has the electrical contact surface.